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A UNION PACIFIC HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM PRESENTATION AT 2013 CONVENTION

July 28, 2015

This locomotive is the National Park Service (NPS) replica of the Union Pacific 119. It is seen here in service at the Gold Spike National Historic Site, participating in a re-enactment of the ceremony that marked the completion of the Pacific Railway May 10, 1969..

This is a scanned image of the original 1889 drawing. The “original” is referred to as a “tracing”. The name refers to the method used to produce the drawing. First, a preliminary design drawing on paper is produced, and when the design is pronounced finished, a piece of “tracing cloth” is laid over it. A “tracing” is made by the draftsman using “india ink” and various types of ink pens.

This is a 1911 tracing and the method used to make if remains the same as in 1889.

“india ink” came as solid, not a liquid.

The solid “india ink” was scrapped into a mixing bowl and mixed with water to make an ink to the liking of the draftsman.

A gentleman named Higgins made the “mixing” bowl obsolete.

The ink pens.

“tracings” are sometimes referred to as “linens” because “tracing cloth” was at first made of linen. However, linen was rapidly replaced by cotton. The cloth becomes “tracing cloth” after a coating of “sizing” is applied. The “sizing” is necessary to accept and hold the ink.

Amazing!

Even more amazing!

Beyond words!!!

Retired engineers have no shame.

This “map” represents the Union Pacific steam era from 1884 to the bitter end. It does not include the OSL, SP,LA&SL, LA&SL, OR&N, OWR&N, et al.

The imprint of history!

Cheyenne , looking west.

Tower A, looking east.

Roundhouse at Cheyenne.

In the Cheyenne roundhouse.

A sad sight indeed.

Something seems missing! A miracle perhaps?

One of the “We can do this!’ group. He and others supplied what was “missing” and a “miracle” happened.